Developing a Sudoku Solver Program Using C++ Programming Language

This assignment details the implementation of a Sudoku solver using C++. The program utilizes a 9x9 grid with 3x3 subgrids, representing the Sudoku board. The core logic is implemented in C++ with a structure to represent each cell, containing a value and a flag to indicate if the cell's value is fixed. The program uses three files: a header file (SudokuPuzzle.h) defining the class and member functions, an implementation file (SudokuPuzzle.cpp) containing the method implementations, and a main driver file (main.cpp) to drive the program. The solver uses a backtracking approach, validating each value entered in a cell against the row, column, and 3x3 block to ensure no repetition. The readPuzzle method loads the initial puzzle from a file, setting flags for pre-filled cells. The solve method then attempts to fill the empty cells, and the output method displays the solved grid. The assignment includes a flow chart depicting the program's control flow and discusses optimization strategies such as using lookup arrays for faster validation. The assignment concludes with an analysis of the program's performance, including the number of solved cells, passes, candidate values, and execution time, providing insights into the program's efficiency and suggesting areas for improvement.